The 18th century Naulakha Palace at Gondal is one of the oldest palace in this town. It has a beautiful sculpted facade.
The palace has magnificent stone carvings with balconies, a pillared courtyard, delicately carved arches.
The facade of the palace is carved with sculptures of real and mythical animals.
Bangalore Palace, is a magnificent palace located in Bangalore that still retains its old world charm. Construction of a palace building was started in 1874 and completed by 1878 on a land of area 454 acres.
The palace with a floor area of 45000 sqft was built in Tudor style architecture with fortified towers, battlements and turrets. In the later years, Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar added some portions outside of Durbar Hall during his reign.
All together there are 35 rooms in palace and most of them are bed rooms. The first floor has an elaborate hall known as the Durbar Hall that can be reached by climbing a decorated staircase. The walls along the staircase are adorned with paintings.
Durbar Hall is a sprawling hall where the king used to address the assembly. One side of the hall contains stained glass windows in Gothic style. The yellow color is used profusely and the walls and the sofa set in the hall are in yellow.
The furniture are neo-classical, Victorian and Edwardian in style. They were bought from John Roberts and Lazarus.
The interior walls of the palace are adorned by 19th century old paintings. Some of those are also Greek and Dutch paintings.
The interiors were decorated with elegant wood carvings, floral motifs and relief paintings on the ceiling. The palace also has beautiful work of arts and crafts on display.
Huzoor Palace at Gondal is the royal residence. In the late 19th century an additional section was added to this palace to host personal guests of the Maharajas.
This annex of the Huzoor Palace is known as Orchard Palace and is open to the public. The property gets its name from the fruit orchards that surround the palace.
The "Room of Miniatures" is a living room with a collection of miniature paintings, brass, and furniture. The rooms of the palace show case decorative furniture, antiques and handicrafts.
One of the highlights of the palace is the Rail Saloon of the royal family.
Today this property has been converted into seven-room heritage hotel. This place is also a delight for bird watchers.
The Man Mandir Palace in Gwaior inside the Gwalior Fort was built by Raja Man Singh of the Tomar dynasty between 1486 and 1516 has magnificent facade.
The walls of the southern facade are covered in blue, yellow and green tiles applied in friezes of geometric patterns or various animals.
On the solid part of the parapet are further friezes of elephants, peacocks and trees.
There are brilliant freezes depicting parrots, rows of ducks, banana trees and crocodiles holding lotus buds, decorating the palace's facade.
The Riverside Palace in Gondal one of the many palaces in this city. Presently this property is a heritage hotel where one can taste of royal splendour.
This magnificent structure was built in 1880 by Maharajah Bhagwat Sinhji for the then Crown Prince of Gondal. It has a well furnished living room with colonial style with chandelier, antique wooden furniture and sofas.
We could not take snaps inside as it was not allowed.
A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.
At Sarkhej Roza Complex in Ahmedabad is the ruins of 15th century Royal Palaces. One among them is Queens' Palace on the Western Bank of the water tank that was dry during our visit. This was built in the 13th century by Sultan Mahmud Begada.
This palace architecture has elements of Muslim, Hindu and Jain elements.
Laxmi Vilas Palace at Vadodara is one of the most elegant palaces and in size it is four times the size of Buckingham Palace.
Maharaja Sayajirao III commissioned Major Charles Mant to build this magnificent palace and it was completed in 1890 by by R.F. Chisolm. The grounds surrounding the palace has been landscaped by William Goldring.
The architecture of the palace has right mix of Indian, Islamic, and European styles. Through the big arched entrance an elephant can easily pass with a howdah on his back.
The ornate Darbar Hall with Venetian mosaic floor, Belgium stained glass windows and walls with intricate mosaic decorations has been a venue of music concerts and other cultural events for the Royal family.
The colorful interiors of the palace is as impressive as the exterior. While The floor has multi-colored marble and mosaic tile every nook and corner of the palace showcases various works of art.
The palace houses a huge collection of sculptures in bronze, marble & terracotta. The palace is open to public from 11 a.m - 5 p.m and and an audio tour is available. It is closed on Mondays.
Pratap Vilas Palace at Vadodara is presently Railway Staff College. Built in 1914 A.D. it is named after the last ruler of Baroda State.
Designed by Charles F. Stevens, the architecture of the palace represents a fine blend of South Indian, North Indian and Islamic architecture. The palace is noted for its exceptionally designed columns and arches.
The central part of the palace has beautifully carved dome.
The palace is adorned with carvings of creepers, flowers, leaves, birds and animals.
This palace which has been residence of the royal family in those days was also known as ‘Lal Baug Palace’.
This magnificent 17th century palace of Gondal is one of the spectacles in the city. We have already got a glimpse of this palace in the earlier post on Naulakha Palace. A glimpse of royalty can be seen as the former living quarters of the palace has been converted into a private museum.
One can also see here the private library with large collection of books used by the the royal family.
The grand Darbar Hall simple yet beautiful with gilt wooden furniture, chandeliers, stuffed panthers and antique Belgian mirrors.
Other interesting items on display are the the baby crib, musical instruments, elephant hauda and many more items.
In other section where there are items used by the kids such as cot, chair, mirror, cupboard are on display.
At Sarkhej Roza Complex in Ahmedabad is the ruins of 15th century Royal Palaces. One among them is King's Palace on the Southern Bank of the lake that was dry during our visit.
This was built in the 13th century by Sultan Mahmud Begada. Though in ruins, it still showcases past glory.
By the side of the palace also has a small mosque used by the Sultan for his prayers.
A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.
At Sarkhej Roza Complex at Ahmedabad in the 15th century around a large tank various tombs, mosques and palaces were built.
Sultan Mehmud had built the palaces on the southwest corner of the tank. These palaces have integration of Muslim, Hindu and Jain architectural elements.
The palace ruins on the South bank is the Kings Palace.
The palace ruins on the West bank is the Queens Palace.
The Naulakha Palace at Gondal is an magnificent palace, that is a must visit for all those who are interested in architecture, history.
The palace complex is entered through a high gateway with the clock tower.
Built in the 17th century the facade of the palace is very attractive. The facade in stone carving showcases splendid sculpture, relief work, carved columns and carved arches.
This grand place is the oldest building in the city. One of the interesting aspect of the palace is ornate jarokha balconies.
The imposing architecture definitely engulfs and encapsulates the viewer in its beauty and grandeur.
The palace have been converted into a private museum and exhibits brassware, textiles, library, royal wardrobes, vintage cars, toys .
A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.
Mor Chowk or Peacock Courtyard is one of the most ornate inner courtyards of the City Palace of Udaipur. It was constructed during the reign of Rana Karan Singhji and is the last area in the Mardana Mahal (Palace of Kings).
The magnificent chamber consists of three peacocks that were created during the reign of Maharana Sajjan Singhji in 1874-1884. The glass inlay work and peacocks were added in this period. Around 5,000 pieces of mosaic tiles have been used in creating the works of art. The peacocks have been crafted with pieces of glass, which shine in green, gold and blue colors.
These peacocks represent the three seasons of summer, winter and monsoon.
At the upper level, there is a projecting balcony, which is flanked by inserts of colored glass.
